Nice day for a white wedding,

I don't often post pictures of my children, but these are exceptional circumstances, due to them both looking so sweet in their wedding outfits...,

needless to say, Luke's suit did not stay clean very long.  He's a boy.  And he likes playing with dirt!

I like quirky!

We are going to a wedding tomorrow, and last night it occurred to me that I had yet to sort out a card, no problem, I can make something. After a bit of trawling about on Flickr etc for ideas, I'd seen lots of lovely wedding inspiration but it was all a bit 'seen it all before' if you know what I mean. Cakes, champagne glasses, wedding rings, confetti, all the usual imagery, but nothing a bit different, unique, and well, ...quirky.  Then I remembered something I'd seen on the 'Feeling Stitchy' blog a while ago, a love note.

So with that in mind, and also obviously subliminally channeling my daughters homework?! (must be because it reminds me of my old school exercise books), I came up with this...

I just need to finish mounting it on the front of the card and that's my homework finished.  I know I like quirky, I just hope the bride & groom do too!

Sit back,

...relax, watch and enjoy.

(and re-live that moment of horror with me where I suddenly remember the awful author picture which I meant to replace, ...is still there!)

The book is out now.

The 'decorate an alice band' tute...,

Next week, we have a wedding to go to, and due to unforeseen circumstances earlier this year which led to a distinct lack of funds, I consciously made the decision that Lucy & Luke's outfits were going to be put together using all my thrifty skills.  Clothing wise, we have struck gold numerous times on Ebay with a white beaded dress, fur shrug and a beige linen suit, and the last thing to sort was something for Lucy's hair, which naturally, is handmade!  This is what I did for a simple wrapped headband decorated with a fabric flower...

You will need  ::  an alice band, ribbon, triangle of fabric measuring 5'' (13cm) across the bottom and 12'' (31cm) in length to the point, pins, needle, sewing thread, fabric glue and a small length of lace or marabou feather trim.

First, spread some glue on the alice band, and beginning at one end, wrap the ribbon round and round to cover the plastic.  Keep going until the whole band is covered with ribbon.  Leave to dry.

Next, fold the fabric triangle in half, lengthways, and beginning at the smallest, tapered end, roll the fabric up.

Continue rolling, and as the flower gets bigger, you may need to make some tucks in the fabric to turn corners.  Just make sure the folded edge creates the outside edge of the flower petals and the unfinished edge is held, centrally underneath so it is hidden.

Once all the fabric is used, tuck under the last unfinished edge and anchor the whole lot in place with a few stitches in some matching coloured thread.

So, there we now have a finished flower!

Decide where abouts onto the headband you want the flower to go, and glue in place.  Use pins to keep it secure until the glue has dried.

Between the band and the flower, also glue in place a small length of lace or marabou feather trim.  This will hide any untidiness and also add a little more glamour to the design (although, if while doing this, the glue gives way and the flower pops off like mine did, you can add a few stitches to secure everything to the ribbon if need be)

And there we go..., one headband befitting of any bridesmaid, flower girl or party guest.  Actually, I might make one for myself in different colours!

How influenced are you...,

...by the fabrics and colours used in the item photographed with a craft pattern you are working from?

This is a serious question as I think I'm subconsciously more influenced that I thought I was!

Working from your own pattern is an odd experience too, made all the weirder for me as I"m running low on the turquoise felted sweater I'd used for the original Peacock.

There are lots of other blues to choose from in my stash, and I actually do really like this darker version.

I have 3 Peacocks to make, and each one will be different, with not just the felted wool varying but the patterned fabrics too.  So hopefully I can shake off the weirdness and begin enjoying the process a bit more!